Stuckx "The Bull" watch - Mechanical & Mecha-quartz Chrono's

€108,864

267

Starting up a new watch project is actually not a walk in the park. ;-) Even if you already are active in the watch world like we are. The ideas were there for a long time. Realization has taken us many months, sleepless nights and rows with our loved ones. We were not to be stopped.

We have put our soul, our time, our last droplets of personal money into this. Call us nuts. Call us crazy. Or see it for what it is: pure passion and belief in what we are doing.

We need your support, both mentally, by simply wishing us luck or sharing this project in your social networks, as well as we need your pledges to get this watch project to the next level.

Samples are ready, all tooling is ready and paid for.Samples have been received and checked. Production can start the moment we have the funds to confirm the order.

UPDATE: Our project was funded within 3 hours after launch. The watches WILL BE MADE! But the project is still open for more pledges!

"Funky Bull" nicknamed "rusty nail vintage brown"

We will add answers to "Frequently asked Questions" in the FAQ section that will appear at the bottom of the page. We will also post/send out a project update to backers if there is something you should know so watch your mailbox!

We tried to be very complete, knowing we have many questions to answer. You will however have all info you really need by reading:

The Bull watches

Colors

Pledges

Stretch Goals

Time Schedule

Samples versus Production

Risks and Challenges

The pledge info on the right

The 3-eye color versions

We designed The Bull from scratch with three different movements to provide a range that suits both style junks and watch nerds:

"2-Eye" Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding (is wound by movement of your arm). With a smoothly running seconds hand at the 12 position, chronograph minute counter at the 6 position and central chrono seconds hand. This version comes with a see-through, display case back to see this piece of mechanical fine art.

"2-Eye" Mecha-quartz chronograph. Combining the feel of a mechanical watch with reliable quartz technology at its core. It has a running seconds hand at the 3 position, a chrono minute counter at the 9 position, a smoothly moving central chrono seconds hand and instantaneous fly-back reset. It also shows the date at the 6 position.

"3-Eye" Mecha-quartz chronograph. The same movement as used for the 2-eye, but with 3 subdials. It exchanges the date at 6 for a chrono hour counter.

The display back of the automatic Bull version with NE-88 movement

All models share these specifications:

Bullhead design, 316L Stainless steel case

The case measures 42mm from left to right

Height is approximately 13 mm for the quartz model and 14,8 mm for the mechanical model (measured mid-watch)

Swiss Luminova lumen on bezel triangle, indices and hands, orange and even black lumen where required (black lumen is "expensive as gold") Note: the white, red or yellow paint in some of the bezels is not luminous!

A German-made strap from soft, supple shrunken leather

Custom made watch box with space for additional straps

24 Months international warranty period

The white "panda" Bull, 2-eye mecha-quartz with date

The Bull is be available in 12 variations. 3 Colors for each movement variation. And some additional stretch goal versions.

If you pledge, you help us to make this watch a reality. The initial order qty and investment is high. We need you to get it done and get this project to the end phase.

We purchase the movements from Seiko/TMI, but even modify some parts of those (date discs as example). Remember all other components were designedespecially for this watch, technical drawings had to be made and every part needed tooling cost.

If you pledge our project and help us to make this watch project reality, we will reward you. You will receive a watch with a very fair discount on final retail level. Or two ;-)

Be aware that about 8-10% of your pledge will go to KickStarter for the use of their platform and their payment platform costs. Your watch-pledge also will include shipment anywhere in the world (not your local import duties and tax outside the EU zone).

Note: schedule above does not show the new pledge options for the Limited Edition Stretch Goal models.

The blue 2-eye Bull, 2-eye mecha-quartz with date

Case detail: brushed surface with polished edges

We are happy to offer some targets that will unlock more good stuff. We decided not to show all stretch goal rewards yet to avoid disappointment when a stretch goal is not reached.

#1: Anti Reflection Coating UNLOCKED

Reaching a target of € 60.000: We will upgrade the specification with Anti-reflective coating on the inside of the sapphire crystal. It will reduce glare at certain angles and make the dial come out even better.

Unlocked: all watches will have AR coating now!

#2: "Dark Bull": sinister Bull with PVD case (black case) UNLOCKED

If we reach a funding target of € 75.000: "Dark Bull".

This target was unlocked on August 1st. See pledge options for more info.

This model will be limited to 75 numbered pieces world wide and we will open up new pledge options for this one.

The nato strap shown is just for illustration purposes!

#3: Lemon Bull & Bloody Bull. UNLOCKED

This target was unlocked on August 5th at €95.000. These will be limited to 500 pieces each. They both use the mecha-quartz movement with date and have a black PVD coated case. Read the FAQ or update 13 how to pledge depending on your backer' status.

Bloody Bull Artist Sketch

Lemon Bull Artist Sketch

Note: straps are for illustration purpose only. The date window will be white on black once in production. The markers on the dial are colored and the lume on hands and markers will be C3 swiss super luminova.

#4: Additional straps: Backers receive an additional strap UNLOCKED

Now we reached the 100k goal, all backers will receive an extra high quality leather strap in the color of choice. We will be in touch with backers on colors.

#5: Say hi to "Silver Bull" & "Bronze Bull" UNLOCKED

Two more mechanical Bull versions were aded to the line up when reaching a funding of €105.000. Silver Bull and Bronze Bull. Both limited to 200 pieces:

Please READ UPDATE 17 to see how to change your pledge to one of these versions!

We made the schedule below as realistic as possible. We have worked with our suppliers before. They all confirmed the schedule is realistic and contains slack to cover the normal, inevitable small delays. If we can do it quicker, we will!

In case something unforeseen happens that influences the schedule we will communicate openly about it.

Bull "wrist shot"

Back in January 2015, we already showed the first conceptual computer images to the members of Watchuseek, the leading watch forum in the world. Find the long thread (58 pages) by clicking on the logo below:

We also asked Don Evans of Watchreport, the home of Real.Honest.Reviews, to check out our watch and give his frank opinion. He published a video review of the prototype that you'll find by clicking the link below:

Our partner for watch movements is Seiko/TMI. Renowned for producing both ultra-reliable, state-of-artmechanical movements as well as gems of quartz movements that feature a mechanical feel and experience.

The Automatic mechanical chronograph we use is named NE-88. It is packed with hard core stuff that makes watch lovers drool.

The NE-88 runs on a high frequency of 28.000 beats per hour. It has a vertical clutch that eliminates the "jumping seconds hand" at the start of a chrono measurement. The column wheel is an advanced feature that coordinates the chronograph functions in a way that ensures smooth operation and less stress for other components. This is normally used in mechanical chronographs in a much higher price range.

The power reserve is more than 45 hours. The movement houses no less than 34 jewels.

The Seiko quality control in the Japanese factory producing these movements is amazing! We are happy that Seiko teams up with us to bring this movement to our customers at an affordable price level. Their support to us has been more than fantastic.

The Seiko VK-series mecha-quartz movements combines the best of both worlds. It has the accuracy and lower cost of a quartz movement combined with a 3 pointed hammer that ensures a mechanical feel to the chrono functions.

The chrono seconds hand has an immediate reset as we know from mechanical chronographs. When running, the central chrono hand moves with 5 beats per second. A fluency normally not seen in the world of cheap chrono-movements that go tick-tack, second by second.

The VK mecha-quartz movement in our opinion gives a great user experience that will even appeal to owners of mechanical chronographs.

All pictures you see are made using the tooling that was made and paid for. The samples are great, but below we list some tiny changes we will make in the final production runs:

The orange lume of hands and indices differ a bit in color and luminosity, because the material is not yet the Swiss luminova that we will use in final production.

The central chrono second hands will be redesigned to have a somewhat smaller and less bulky appearance.

The straps in most pictures are only used to show this watch is a versatile one. It will happily combine with many straps. We selected a German supplier for the "standard" leather straps made from supple and soft shrunken leather. They look like this:

Final standard leather straps in multiple colors. Made in Germany!

Black mecha-quartz 2-eye with date

Stuckx Watches is the logical next step after having been active as a European authorized dealer of some fantastic micro watch brands for over 7 years. It all started in the spring of 2008 when we became the sole and exclusive dealer of Magrette Timepieces in Europe.

Later on other brands were added to the portfolio: Halios Watches from Vancouver, Tempest Watches from Hong Kong are the best known ones. We have serviced many customers with a common goal: to give people access to "great watches with a soul" via direct sales, with great value for money and dedication to customer service.

Selling other guys' love childs is great fun, but at the same time we had our own personal ideas for different models. We love the typical 70's watch case designs and the somewhat more abundant use of color.

Remember the Marvel comics? Bold fantasy, great colors, not always politically correct? Exactly. It might be the mid-life crisis we are in the middle of, but we also enjoy the roar and the bashful looks of American muscle cars that for us are linked to that period.

That vibe was translated into watches and became "Stuckx", a fantasy name with simply the right ring to it. The logo had to be something that an action hero could put on their chest. Bold and gutsy. See the stylized X that doubles as an hourglass and you now know what thought was behind that.

We work together with an awesome designer with limitless imagination and a thorough knowledge of watch construction. His more than 20 years of watch making experience have been our guide and pushed the ideas even more in the right direction.

All Stuckx watches that were designed sofar, share some common characteristics:

An original case, not chosen from a catalogue but designed by us and made exclusively for us;

Color schemes that are funky, always with a splash of joy;

3D elements on custom made dials. Simply because they catch the light and make a watch more interesting to look at.

An example of another watch we are currently producing is The RocK: an imaginative dive watch with a titanium lug-less case and a water resistance rating of 100 bar or 1000 meters. It has a thick sapphire bezel insert and is powered by a Swiss automatic movement. Not your ordinary dive watch...

Stuckx The RocK "Pepster". Titanium 1000m Diver.

We always say "buy the seller as well" when we are asked for advice by friends.

It is true. A product can be nice, but its soul is what the maker/seller has put in it. It might be less tangible, but we believe you can feel it nonetheless.

We probably are much like you. We love watches, love wearing them, love looking at them, drool in front of dealers' shopping windows with not enough cash in our pockets to buy that latest new, gorgeous high end watch from one of our favorite brands.

All Mechanical Bull colors

Watches spark our imagination and we hope to bring a bit of that spark to you with our products. We believe a watch transfers part of peoples beliefs about design, life and style to the wrist, visible for everyone.

Yeah, we know. It is way too much for a crowdfunding campaign. Like "if you can pay for this, you can bloody well pay for the production of that watch yourself."

We owe you an explanation:

Some of our friends happen to be owners of a starting-up movie production company. Three young guys who love our project and offered to help out. One start-up helping another start-up.

Together we came up with the idea to make this not the standard kickstarter movie. Not a dry movie explaining the features, showing all angles.

We went back to the brand origin (read above) and decided to make it like a corny, cheesy 70's movie trailer. Because, well, because we love that kind of stuff really. A bit overdone, a bit quirky. Lots of fun.

To keep cost at a minimum we worked with people who are building up a portfolio for their study or career and loved to be involved in this mini-movie project. Talent, hard work and simple, plain old friendship. Can't beat that!

Especially to all people thinking about starting a KickStarter campaign in the Netherlands I would say: go to http://www.viewgatedigital.com, contact these guys and never look back. They are the best!

The guy who thinks in images is Vincent Boudewijn. Director, writer, energizer, hard-worker. Once he had a clear picture in his head, it was his job to guide all others (including yours truly) to the end result. Young, very talented and relentless in making it the way it should be. He ignored his RSI and worked day and night to get it done. Vince: you're the true man in this project!

We refuse to forget all people who have been working mostly behind the scenes, so here is the full list:

3-eye "Dutch Bull" mecha-quartz

Risks and challenges

This is not the first time we have watches produced. Stuckx already launched a first model, "The RocK", that is currently in production. The team behind Stuckx also designed, coordinated and produced watches for other watch brands under strict non-disclosure agreements with their brand owners. One of them happened to be a huge succes on KickStarter last year, achieving more than 100.000 in value.

Our initial computer renders are almost exactly the same as the final production samples. That is experience, not luck at play.

We know what it takes to not only deliver a product but deliver on customer service as well. We have positive reviews from our other watch business and we are not afraid of what you will find when you google us. ;-)

Having said that, the risk of production delay is one we cannot take away. We have a good relationship with our suppliers and our experience with them is excellent. We allocated additional time in the schedule just in case.

Critical is the supply of the movements. For the mecha-quartz movements supply is no issue: they can be ordered and will be delivered with minimal lead times. The automatic mechanical chronograph normally has a delivery time of 6-8 months. Seiko already reserved a qty up to 150 pieces for us for immediate delivery. If demand exceeds that number, there is a risk that we will need to wait a longer time for additional units.

We work with a professional fulfillment company for deliveries. Local customs can ruin a good delivery experience, which is out of our control, but we try to prevent that with the right documentation on the package.

Last but not least: we know the value of communicating if something happens that influences the project. We take communication seriously. We will openly communicate via Kickstarter updates or email and on our FaceBook page. We know trust is not a given fact: we need to gain and keep your trust. That is our job and we intend to do that well.

Pledge €535 or more
About $596

(roughly 589 USD at the moment of writing). A savings of 200 euro on the planned retail price.

TWO mecha-quartz powered "The Bull" watches: The Dark Bull limited edition (75 pcs. made) plus another unlimited steel version in one of the available colors (see description and pictures in the text).